Contributions to the Ornithology of the East African Islands.

Abstract

The sea‐bird breeding stations in East African waters are enumerated. Between the Lamu archipelago, where many species nest, and the Rovuma the most important station is Latham Island with its Booby colony (S. dactylatra melanops), which existed at least 115 years ago. Less than half a dozen terneries (mainly S. dougallii and S. fuscata) are known, and no gullery. Reef‐Herons, the only sea‐birds to breed on bush‐covered islets or in mangroves, are more widespread than the other species. The Terns lay about July, the Reef‐Herons a month earlier, and the Gannets about four months later in most years. Early records of birds in Zanzibar and Pemba are discussed specifically. The recent extinction of Francolins in Zanzibar is taken as proved. The land‐birds of Mafia and the neighbouring islets are listed and discussed, mainly on the basis of a recent collection. The avifauna is purely East African, devoid of endemics, and, considering the size of Mafia and its proximity to the mainland, astonishingly depauperate in some respects. Thirteen families (including Psittacidæ, Coliidæ, Picidæ, Alaudidæ, Timaliidæ, and Zosteropidæ) and several other coastal species are not represented. The phenology is discussed.